textproduct: Amarillo

KEY MESSAGES

Issued at 1225 PM CST Fri Jan 23 2026

- Winter weather conditions will continue this afternoon through Sunday morning with snowfall accumulations ranging from 2 to 4 inches for the northwest up to 8 to 12 inches for the southeast.

- Moderate to major winter weather impacts, especially for travel, are expected Saturday evening into Sunday morning when the heaviest snowfall is expected.

- Extremely cold wind chill values are expected tonight through Sunday morning and again on Monday morning.

- Temperatures below freezing may remain across portions of the Panhandles through at least early next week.

UPDATE

Issued at 300 PM CST Fri Jan 23 2026

Light snowfall has begun across much of the area with limited accumulations thus far. A gradual increase in coverage and intensity is expected later on this evening as upper level support leads to increased snow rates. Temperatures at this time are ranging from the teens to single digits, with the coldest temperatures across the northern Panhandles. Given breezy east to northeast winds, wind chill values are as low as 10 to 15 below zero already. Given the cooler hourly temperatures than previously forecast, have updated the temperatures going into this evening. Have also updated the start time of the Cold Weather Advisory and Extreme Cold Warning to start at 6 PM this evening.

Muscha

SHORT TERM

(This evening through Saturday night) Issued at 1225 PM CST Fri Jan 23 2026

A potentially significant winter storm is starting to begin across the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles.

The latest H500 RAP analysis shows a strong low pressure system to the west of Baja California over the Pacific. This is the storm system that will bring the impactful winter weather to the region today through Sunday. So far today, light drizzle has been observed across portions of the Panhandles along with flurries/light snowfall across the northwest as mid level moisture increases. Mostly freezing drizzle to very light snowfall is expected during the daytime hours today as dry air in the column remains in place. The freezing drizzle may lead to light accumulation of ice on elevated surfaces, such as bridges and overpasses. Any snow amounts through this afternoon will be quite light, with only a low chance to reach up to an inch through sunset.

The first main band of snow is forecast to move across the Panhandles this afternoon into evening through Saturday morning. Moisture throughout the column increases beyond sunset across the entire area and this will coincide with a weak disturbance embedded in the southwest flow moves over the region. Light to at times moderate snowfall is expected during this time frame and the potential for moderate snowfall will end as the wave exits to the east by early to mid morning on Saturday. From late morning to at least mid afternoon, a brief break in the precipitation is becoming increasingly likely due to the lack of synoptic lift. Even with that being said, flurries to light snow may still occur, but very limited accumulation through much of the daylight hours on Saturday is currently anticipated. Temperatures to start the day on Saturday will be very cold in the single digits to potentially even below zero for a few areas. With widespread cloud cover and the potential for light precipitation all day, temperatures will only rise into the single digits to mid teens across the Panhandles during the day. Wind chill values Saturday morning will be in the -10 to -20 range and only increasing up to the negative single digits by the afternoon.

Going into Saturday evening, the upper level low pressure system is forecast to weaken and lift northeast towards southern New Mexico and far west Texas. Saturated atmospheric columns are still forecast out ahead of this system which will greatly aid in snow development as the lift associated with the low moves over the southern High Plains. With a completely saturated column, it will not take much lift to start to generate at least light to moderate snow over the region. Mesoscale features combined with the stronger lift from the system will lead to moderate to heavy snowfall rates upwards of 1-2 inches per hour on Saturday evening into Sunday morning. The best H700-H500 mid level vertical velocities indicate the best lift associated with this system will move across Saturday night. The currently favored area for this to occur is across west Texas to the southern Texas Panhandle. The heaviest snowfall associated with the storm system is forecast during this time frame, with snow amounts reaching at least 6 inches and potentially upwards of 12 inches. There are still some models suggesting that snowfall upwards of 12- 15 inches is still a possibility, but the chance for any one location to get that much snow is quite low (10 percent or less) at this time.

Travel on Saturday evening into Sunday morning will be treacherous if not impossible, especially for the southern and eastern Texas Panhandle. This hazardous travel will include Interstate 40, Interstate 27, highway 287, and highway 60. Snow covered roads should be expected along with low visibility due to falling snow and wind driven snow. Thankfully, winds will not be very strong, only around 10-15 mph or less, but with the snow being on the drier side it will not take much wind to blow it around while falling. If you are planning to travel on Saturday evening into the night, strongly consider staying home or finding an alternate route.

Muscha

LONG TERM

(Sunday through next Thursday) Issued at 1225 PM CST Fri Jan 23 2026

Snow will likely still be ongoing at sunrise on Sunday as the main storm system moves across the region. Snow will come to an end by the afternoon hours. Temperatures will be below freezing due to the colder air mass across the region along with snow cover. Another front moves over the southern High Plains on Sunday night into Monday morning which will bring another push of cold air over the region. Additional light snow will be possible behind the front but accumulation of a half inch or less would be expected at this time. Extremely cold wind chill values will be possible once again on Monday morning. Dry conditions are forecast the remainder of the work week beyond Monday morning. Temperatures will be highly dependent upon how much snow pack is in place over the Panhandles, but temperatures may stay below freezing through mid week if there is a lot of snow pack. Due to the uncertainty in the snow pack, that potential is not currently in the forecast but it is something to keep an eye on.

Muscha

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1225 PM CST Fri Jan 23 2026

MVFR to LIFR flight conditions are expected with this TAF cycle. Low clouds will remain over the Panhandles over the next 24 hours leading to the lower ceilings. Additionally, there are chances for snow at all of the terminals. When snow does occur, low visibility along with lower ceilings can be expected, leading to LIFR conditions. Prevailing snow and PROB30 groups have been included for timing and precipitation intensity. There may be a break in the snow potential at the very end of this TAF cycle, but the lower ceilings will remain.

Muscha

AMA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

TX...Winter Weather Advisory until 6 AM CST Sunday for TXZ001-006.

Cold Weather Advisory from 6 PM this evening to noon CST Sunday for TXZ001>003-006>008-011-012-016-017-317.

Winter Storm Warning until noon CST Sunday for TXZ002>005- 007>020-317.

Extreme Cold Warning from 6 PM this evening to noon CST Sunday for TXZ004-005-009-010-013>015-018>020.

OK...Winter Weather Advisory until 6 AM CST Sunday for OKZ001.

Cold Weather Advisory from 6 PM this evening to noon CST Sunday for OKZ001-002.

Winter Storm Warning until noon CST Sunday for OKZ002-003.

Extreme Cold Warning from 6 PM this evening to noon CST Sunday for OKZ003.